24/09/2025

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Malaysian Paper

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Rentals for commercial RVs to roll out next year

Sewerage works ongoing, Jalan Burma sinkhole under probe GEORGE TOWN: Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd has been conducting – and will continue to perform – inspections of sewerage assets across Penang Island, including along Jalan Burma, where a sinkhole appeared on Sunday. In a statement, IWK said the investigations include comprehensive closed-circuit television inspections and ground penetrating radar scanning to assess the condition of the sewer lines. IWK said this project forms part of the Malaysian Plan under the Sewerage Services Department, while upgrading and refurbishment works are being implemented through funding from the Sewerage Capital Contribution fund. “Across Penang Island, the pipeline network spans 297km and the upgrade and refurbishment works will amount to RM284.7 million, as part of ongoing efforts to address the ageing sewerage infrastructure on the island. “As for the incident along Jalan Burma, IWK will continue its investigations to confirm the root cause of the recent collapse,” according to the statement. IWK confirmed that a collapsed sewer caused the sinkhole due to a joint dislocation, which can occur unexpectedly under heavy loads and not as a result of ageing assets, as claimed. It also confirmed that the pipeline initially identified and claimed as a force main (a pressurised sewer pipe) is actually located just upstream of the sinkhole and the collapse involved a 525mm diameter gravity line, not the force main as reported. “For public safety, the affected section of the road has been temporarily closed off, with urgent repair works now entering day two and expected to take another four days to complete. “IWK is taking all necessary measures to address this promptly.” Penang Island City Council had said the sinkhole that appeared on Jalan Burma near the Jalan Transfer intersection was caused by a leak in a 300mm sewer pipe owned by IWK. – Bernama Malacca food premises awarded for cleanliness and food safety MALACCA: A total of 237 food premises in the state have received recognition under the Bersih, Selamat dan Sihat (BeSS) or Clean, Safe and Healthy initiative as of July this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. He said two premises were also named as recipients at the 2024 National Clean and Safe Food Court Awards. “As a historic tourism state, the state government places hygiene and food safety as a key agenda to ensure the satisfaction and confidence of tourists. “On that basis, strengthening BeSS is given priority as one of the key initiatives to ensure the availability of safe, high quality and competitive food, particularly at tourist hotspots,” he said when officiating the Malacca 2025 World Food Safety Day, organised by the state health department yesterday. The text of his speech was read by State Human Resources, Health and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem. A total of 60 food entrepreneurs in the state received various certifications and recognition under the Health MInistry’s Food Safety and Quality programme. – Bernama

o New policy aims to boost self-tourism, regulate operators and expand caravan travel market: Loke

eligible for commercial licensing. “Privately owned RVs registered before December 31 this year may also be converted for commercial use, provided they are no more than 15 years old and pass technical inspections conducted by the Road Transport Department. “The ministry, together with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry will also study the feasibility of introducing a single-window licensing system to streamline the application process,” he said. An RV is defined as a motor vehicle, semi-trailer or trailer designed to serve as both transport and temporary accommodation, typically fitted with sleeping quarters, a small kitchen, dining area and bathroom facilities. In Malaysia, RVs are classified into four categories: caravans or camper vans, motorhomes or camper buses, camper pick-ups or trucks and caravan trailers. Each unit is permanently equipped with essential living facilities such as seats and tables, sleeping space, cooking equipment and storage.

and-drive” rental vehicles in Peninsular Malaysia and as self-drive rental vehicles in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. As of Aug 22, a total of 1,405 RVs had been registered for private use nationwide, mostly smaller caravans and camper vans. Loke said monitoring on social media platforms revealed a surge in unlicensed RV rental offers – a clear sign of market demand and the need for proper regulation. “Until now, government policy only allowed RVs to be registered under individual or private company ownership, limiting their potential contribution to the tourism industry. “The new policy is intended to encourage growth in this sector by creating a regulated licensing framework that ensures user safety, enforces standards on operators and protects the rights of renters,” he said in a statement. The policy takes effect on Jan 1, 2026. Only new RVs, whether completely knocked down (CKD) or completely built-up (CBU), will be

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Recreational vehicles (RVs) will soon hit Malaysian roads as licensed commercial rentals in a landmark policy shift set to drive self-tourism, expand the caravan travel market and curb unregulated operators cashing in on rising demand. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said RVs, previously restricted to private registration, will now be allowed for commercial use as “tour

Sick, abandoned projects worth RM121b revived PUTRAJAYA: The Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Project Task Force has recorded significant achievements since its

establishment in 2023 by reviving 1,260 private housing projects involving 150,968 units with a gross development value (GDV) of RM121.44 billion, said Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu. She said for this year alone, 325 sick and delayed housing projects involving 36,922 units with a GDV of RM28.85 billion have been revived. “In addition, eight abandoned housing projects involving 1,299 housing units with a GDV of RM109.05 million were also fully resolved, either through project completion up to obtaining the certificate of completion and compliance (CCC) or via other agreed settlement methods,” she said in a statement after chairing the task force meeting yesterday. She said as of Aug 31, the task force recorded 144 private housing projects with delayed status, 345 sick projects and 108 abandoned projects nationwide. These figures, she said, reflect positive development, with sick projects reduced from 360 to 345 as of June, delayed projects falling to 144 compared with 233 previously and abandoned projects decreasing slightly from 109 to 108. Aiman Athirah said the task force’s approach has proven effective as it focuses on assessing the current status and implementing intervention measures to revive problematic projects. To ensure close monitoring, she said the task force also conducted regular site visits, with 34 projects inspected last year, while from Jan 1 to

Aiman Athirah said as of August this year, 144 private housing schemes with delayed status, 345 sick projects and 108 abandoned sites nationwide have been identified. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

affected families,” she said in a statement yesterday. Dr Zaliha was represented by Federal Territories Department (JWP) director-general Datuk Seri Noridah Abdul Rahim during the mission. The contributions included 60 mattresses, 100 pillows, 100 blankets, 60 towels and 60 pieces of sarong . Heavy equipment including portable generators, high-pressure water jets and other cleaning tools were also deployed to support the recovery efforts. – Bernama tackling problematic projects by proposing practical and effective solutions. “This effort is in line with the ministry’s target to achieve zero abandoned projects by 2030. “The ministry’s commitment is clear – to carry out stricter monitoring, strengthen strategic cooperation with stakeholders and implement appropriate interventions so that projects can be completed on schedule.” She added that this will ensure the rights and interests of homebuyers are always protected, while also enhancing public confidence in the government. – Bernama

Aug 31, a total of 26 projects have been visited. “I have personally visited 60 projects, of which 36 have obtained the CCC, while the remaining 24 projects are showing progress and are expected to be completed on schedule.” She stressed that the achievement was the result of close cooperation between the task force, local authorities, technical agencies and utility providers. They all played an important role in ensuring the smooth recovery process, she added. Aiman Athirah said the task force will continue to serve as the main platform in

Volunteers mobilised for post-flood mission in Sabah LABUAN: A total of 80 volunteers comprising staff from the Federal Territories Department, Labuan Corporation and Putrajaya Corporation have been mobilised under the Madani government machinery to assist communities affected by floods and landslides in several districts across Sabah. deployment of the government machinery to aid flood victims in the state. The initiative, known as the Federal Territories Post-Flood Mission with Sabah (Misi Pasca Banjir Wilayah Persekutuan bersama Sabah), is in its first phase in Membakut, with volunteers carrying out cleaning works at Sekolah Kebangsaan St Patrick and Tadika Pei You

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the mission was in response to the directive by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who ordered the immediate

“In addition, essential supplies were delivered to the Membakut district disaster operations control centre for distribution to